Nobilo has some sympathy for Williams, who he has known for about 30 years. An analyst and presenter for the American Golf Channel following a long and distinguished professional career, Nobilo is also uniquely placed to comment on the controversy.
Having worked in the golf media for eight years, New Zealander Nobilo knows any story concerning Woods is newsworthy. For that reason, and the fact that the Woods camp had been so tightly knit before Williams' dismissal, the caddie had become a "lightning rod'', he said.
However, Nobilo was also adamant that what Williams said was wrong.
"I'd like to think that people realise that his words aren't necessarily a reflection of who he is,'' Nobilo said. "Caddying is a blue collar job, so there's a different vernacular. That being said, obviously you have to apologise for any inflammatory words and they were. Also, the situation, the way in which he was dismissed by Tiger Woods, obviously it's very raw to him.
"I spoke with him after Akron [in Ohio, the first tournament since the split] and I said it's going to be tough for him because the Tiger Woods camp was so tight, he [Williams] is the first guy really who people thought they could have access to. Any time there's any sort of volatility, and Steve is a little prone to that, it's a way to somehow shake him and he'll maybe spit something out about things inside the camp because there's no question, Tiger Woods has been the most prolific athlete, you could say of all time, certainly the highest paid.
"But [that dominance] has made the game very hard to cover because sometimes him not playing in an event is quite destructive if you get the media attention for all the wrong reasons, but Steve is not in an enviable situation right now. He's become the lightning rod.
"We're answerable to what we say, but also, people should know who we are and he was the only one quoted in that [awards function for caddies in China].
"His remarks have to be apologised for, there's no two ways about it. He worked for Tiger Woods for 13 or 14 years and in terms of racist comments, he's never given me a reason to think that was his inclination. But it's tough because people around the world will only see the words.''
Nobilo, back in New Zealand for the first time in six years, is looking forward to helping lead his team against the United States in the two-yearly Presidents Cup event.
He was involved with the international team three times as a player in the 90s and was also assistant captain in 2009. With competitors involved in the tournament donating funds to charities, Nobilo is supporting the Integrated Neurological Rehabilitation Foundation in Auckland, a privately-funded, not-for-profit organisation.
Nobilo said he was impressed with Danny Lee, a New Zealander who has only just turned professional.
"Danny Lee, you've got to give him time. He's done some amazing things in his career. He's got to find his feet but his work ethic is amazing. Talent-wise I would put him up there with the [Rory] McIlroys and the [Ryo] Ishikawas. If there's going to be one thing in his career, his work ethic will at least give him what I think will be a Vijay Singh-type career. But the upside is tremendous.''
Nobilo said he was impressed that Michael Campbell, who hit a five-over-par 77 in the first round of the Australian Open in Sydney today, was continuing to play despite his form issues.
"I know personally when you stop playing it's hard to get back into it so you have to keep playing for as long as you can. When you're born to play and that's your skill-set you should continue to do it.''
